Humberside 2014

Humberside has seen crime reduce in the force area over the last four years although, in common with other forces in England and Wales, there are signs of the rate of reduction slowing down. Some crime types are currently showing an increase above the national average, and an increase when compared to similar forces. Also, the likelihood of being a victim of anti-social behaviour is less in Humberside than most areas in England and Wales. Victims of crime report being satisfied with the service provided by Humberside, with satisfaction levels being broadly in line with the rate for England and Wales.

The effort to reduce crime and prevent known offenders committing further offences in Humberside is helped by strong partnership activity at the local level including, for example, with the probation service, health, local authorities and charity groups. Humberside recognises that there is more to be done to instil a common policing model across the force area, and forge deeper strategic alliances with its four unitary authorities in its policing area. The new policing model, or ‘One Force’, is due to be fully implemented by April 2015.

HMIC considers that the introduction of ‘One Force’ will present an opportunity for Humberside to address areas for improvement highlighted in the crime inspection report. These focus principally on the quality and standard of crime investigations and the service provided to victims. A common theme found in the inspection was the existence of pockets of excellence with inconsistent practices in the different policing areas in Humberside.

A combination of the existence of local partnerships, introducing and monitoring best practice for victim care and investigation of crime at force-wide level will leave the force better placed to serve its communities.

Further insights on effectiveness

The domestic abuse inspection found that although domestic abuse was a priority for Humberside, there was a fragmented and inconsistent approach across the force and victims may not have received the level of support they needed. The crime inspection found evidence in Humberside that activity around domestic abuse remained varied across the force.

The crime inspection found that the force’s identification of organised crime groups was being supported through a monthly meeting and the adoption of a tracker, with some evidence of tasking through the tactical tasking co-ordination groups. Although the potential for child sexual exploitation organised crime groups to be operating in the force area was highlighted during inspection, they did not seem to have been prioritised at an organisational level. The force was addressing this with its partners.

The Strategic Policing Requirement inspection found that Humberside had, or had access to through collaboration with other forces regionally, the necessary capability to tackle terrorism, civil emergency, serious organised crime and public disorder, but not a large-scale cyber incident.